Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 27 August 2016

The last Saturday in the month of August.  September, and Autumn, will be here before we know it.  Then October and all the rest.  When we made our relocation from the Deep South to NE Ohio three years ago, we went from an area that essentially NEVER sees snow, and certainly not in quantity, to one that had snow in October.  Not an improvement as I measure such things.  So, even though we are in the low 80's today, snowfall will be here all too soon. The Old Farmers' Almanac tells us that this is expected to be an unusually cold and bitter winter here.  Not what I wanted to hear.  But it's out of my hands, as most things are. 

Dear Wife is sleeping in the recliner near me, a small black kitten with her.  A few weeks ago, we were prevailed upon to take in an orphan kitten, tiny thing, whose mother and siblings, feral all, had been sleeping on top of the tires of niece's car, and didn't get off in time.  And were run over and killed.  Only this one survived.  So, Dear Wife took it.  Tiny thing.  Scared and hungry and filthy.  We -- meaning Dear Wife -- have been cuddling her and all that.  Yours Truly got dragooned into feeding her, and setting up a litter pan that needs frequent care.  Little Kitty has been tentatively named "Princess Squeak", as her frequent vocalizations sound like a squeak, not a purr nor meow or anything else vaguely cat-like.  Squeak.  My sister-in-law was supposed to come get her.  Two weeks ago.  She's not real good at keeping her word in anything, and this looks like yet another example.  So there we are.

Tomorrow I have been asked to lead the adult Bible Study time, so I guess I will.  Lots going through the mind, things that need to be said, things that need to be drawn out, life changes of all of us that need to take place. 
I'd also been approached to lead the singing -- the gentleman who normally does this was supposed to work.  Fortunately he was notified that the scheduled O.T. had been cancelled.  My natural voice is a bit below the normal basso range, heading into contra-bass territory (not quite to J.D. Sumner range but pretty close), and singing lead, singing melody, is just something that I haven't done since I was about 14 or so.  LONG time ago.  I would have tried to carry it out if necessary, but probably not my best avenue there.  But the issue will probably come up again and I guess I'll need to be ready.

=========================
==========================

The Old Testament passage for the day is Psalms 132 through Psalm 135. 

Psalm 132

1 Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions: 2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; 3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, 5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. 6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. 7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. 8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. 9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. 10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. 11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. 13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Psalm 133

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Psalm 134

1 Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. 3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Psalm 135

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. 2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God. 3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. 4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. 5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. 7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. 8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. 9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. 10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; 11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: 12 And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people. 13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. 14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. 15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; 17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. 19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: 20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. 21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

=======================
====================

Our New Testament reading is chapter 8 from 1st Corinthians.

I Corinthians 8

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.